Dedicated Keyboard Operators Persist in Modern Myanmar's Digital Age
In the bustling city of Yangon, Burma (Myanmar), typewriters remain a common sight in some government offices, small businesses, and among individuals who value their reliability over modern digital devices.
Their continued usage can be attributed to several factors. For one, the inconsistent electricity supply and unstable internet access in certain areas make typewriters a more practical choice. These manual machines do not require power surges or depend on software updates, making them a robust option for those who may lack digital literacy.
Moreover, typewriters offer a solution for producing official, legible documents in the Myanmar script. While digital font support and typing tools have improved recently, they still do not meet the needs of everyone, particularly in rural areas where access to such technology might be limited or costly.
Cultural inertia and tradition also play a significant role in preserving typewriter usage. Established workflows and training revolve around these manual machines, making them a familiar and comfortable choice for many.
Win Htay, a typewriter repairman who has been mending machines since he was 13 years old, laments the relocation of typists and repairmen to Naypyidaw in 2005. Despite this, he continues to sell fully restored typewriters for around 100,000 kyats.
Tin Zaw Htet, a typist in Yangon, earns 1000 kyats per page for typing legal contracts. He uses a Cold War-era typewriter for work and a smartphone for personal purposes. Tin Zaw Htet appreciates the tactile feedback from typing on a typewriter and values the efficiency and care that it encourages.
Mya Win, another repairman who has been working on the machines for 40 years, operates small indoor shops featuring more modern typewriters, copiers, and computers. These shops are opening in the vicinity of traditional typists, indicating a slow but steady evolution in the industry.
Despite the prevalence of broadband and computers, typewriters persist in Burma, including Yangon. Their value extends beyond nostalgia, as they offer a practical, reliable, and culturally significant alternative to modern technology in certain contexts.
[1] ttf-sil-padauk: A font supporting Myanmar script, showing ongoing challenges and developments in digital text input for the region. [5] Modern fonts and keyboards for phones: While they offer convenience, they do not fully replace the tactile and operational simplicity of typewriters for some users.
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